Sleeping bag

ABSTRACT

A sleeping bag structure including a mattress-like base section with an upper head supporting portion and central body supporting portion and a lower leg supporting portion, a quilt-like cover section with an upper body covering portion, a central leg covering portion and a lower foot covering portion and dual connecting means releasably connecting adjacent edges of the section together to define a closed draft proof bag. Said connecting means including outer primary zipper type primary fastening means at and along related edges of the sections and inner secondary releasable fastening means between the adjacent edge portions of the sections inward of and parallel with the primary fastening means and holding said adjacent portions of the sections in draft and heat sealing engagement with each other. Said upper body portion of the cover section having a pair of laterally spaced extensions with interconnecting means at the free ends to define an upwardly and laterally extending arch supported on the head portion of the base section and defining a head accommodating hood.

United States Patent [1 1 Geary [111 3,831,206 [451 Aug. 27, 1974 I54]SLEEPING BAG [76] Inventor: Riley R. Geary, 6202 No. Ivar,

Temple City, Calif. 91780 [22] Filed: Dec. 17, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.:425,161

[52] US. Cl 5/343, 2/DIG. 6, 297/D1G. 6, 24/DIG. 18 [51 Int. Cl A47g9/00 [58] Field of Search 5/343, 344; 2/79, 94, 69.5, 2/DIG. 6; 297/DIG.6

Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Assistant Examiner-Andrew M. CalvertABSTRACT A sleeping bag structure including a mattress-like base sectionwith an upper head supporting portion and central body supportingportion and a lower leg supporting portion, a quilt-like cover sectionwith an upper body covering portion, a central leg covering portion anda lower foot covering portion and dual connecting means releasablyconnecting adjacent edges of the section together to define a closeddraft proof bag. Said connecting means including outer primary zippertype primary fastening means at and along related edges of the sectionsand inner secondary releasable fastening means between the adjacent edgeportions of the sections inward of and parallel with the primaryfastening means and holding said adjacent portions of the sections indraft and heat sealing engagement with each other. Said upper bodyportion of the cover section having a pair of laterally spacedextensions with interconnecting means at the free ends to define anupwardly and laterally extending arch supported on the head portion ofthe base section and defining a head accommodating hood.

13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures SLEEPING BAG This invention has to do withan improved sleeping bag and is more particularly concerened with anovel sectional sleeping bag structure comprising a bottom mattresssection, a top cover section, novel means for releasably securing thesections together and a structure incorporating novel head receivinghead means and novel foot accommodating means.

The ordinary sleeping bag structure provided by the prior art includes alarge, flat, rectangular quilt, filled with a resilient compressible,low density, heat insulating material such as down, and havingreleasable fastening means at its opposite horizontal side edges and itslower, transverse edge to secure said edges together when the quilt isfolded double and so as to establish an upwardly opening bag-likestructure in which a person can arrange himself for rest or sleep,protected from the cold and/or elements of the ambient atmosphere. Thefastening means employed in such bags commonly include lineal slide-typefasteners commonly referred to as zippers or zipper-type fasteners.

The heat insulating characteristics of such sleeping bags is a directfunction or the ability of such bags to provide a dead air layer betweenthe person using them and the surrounding environment, which is the mosteffective means of inhibiting heat transfer and is generally measured interms of loft. Since the insulating filler material of most sleepingbags must be resilient, compressible and of low density to satisfyweight, bulk, and comfort requirements, the users or sleepers weighttends to compress the underlying portions of the bags to such a degreethat they lose substantially all their loft and their capacity toprovide adequate insulation and support necessitates the use of anadditional piece of equipment to compensate for such losses. The mostcommon solution is the provision and use of a mattress of lesscompressible, insulating materials, such as polyethylene foam, toachieve the required degree of support and insulation beneath thesleeper.

The above leads to the obvious conclusion that the underlying portion ofa conventional sleeping bag fails to perform its desire or intendedfunctions and represents little more than excess, costly and undesirablematerial and weight.

An object and feature of the present invention is to provide a novelsleeping bag structure wherein the ineffective and inefficientunderlying portion commonly provided or present in conventional sleepingbag structures is eliminated and wherein a soft, compressible, heatinsulating top bag section is cooperatively related and releasablysecured to a less soft, body supporting, heat insulating, mattress-like,bottom section.

It is another object and feature of my invention to provide a sleepingbag structure of the character referred to above having an integratedmattress defined by the noted bottom section whereby inadvertent oraccidental movement or displacement of the sleeper from supportingengagement on the mattress cannot occur, as is the case where separatesleeping bags and mattresses are employed.

In the ordinary or conventional sleeping bag structures, the pull-typeor zipper fastening means employed to secure adjacent edges of thestructures together afford little or no heat insulation at the seams orlines of joinder established thereby with the result that the heatinsulating capacity of such bags is materially reduced.

Further, zippers are not airtight and considerable draft occurs at andthrough the noted zipper secured seams of the ordinary sleeping bag,further reducing its efficiency and effectiveness.

To reduce such loss of heat and prevent such drafts, the prior art hasprovided draft curtains or flaps at and along the zipper secured seamsof bags which flaps are of extremely limited and questionableeffectiveness and add considerably to the weight, cost and bulk of suchbags.

An object and feature of my invention is to provide a sleeping bag ofthe character referred to above having novel and improved heatinsulating, draft proof releasable fastening means at, along and betweenthe adjacent, related and releasably secured edges or seams of theconstruction.

It is a further object and feature of my invention to provide releasablefastening means between adjacent related edges of a sleeping bagstructure comprising outer primary and inner secondary fastening meansalong said edge portions, which means cooperate to re leasably hold andmaintain specially formed edge por tions of the bag in sealingrelationship with each other.

Yet another object and feature of my invention is to provide novelreleasably fastening means of the character referred to above which issuch that the amount of insulating effect and the amount of draft at andalong the fastened seams or lines of joinder of the bag can be easilyand effectively varied and controlled as desired or as circumstancesrequire, thereby materially extending the range of use of the bag, asregards the climatic conditions in which it is intended for use.

In the prior art, the ordinary sleeping bag is not provided with meansto support and protect the sleepers head against the cold. Accordingly,the sleeper must be provided with a pillow or use available extraclothing or the like to support his head and must either draw his headinto the bag or use such clothing or other available means to protecthis head from the cold.

In those cases where a hood has been provided by the prior art toprotect the sleepers head from the cold, the hoods have been integrallyand permanently formed and established in the bags in such a manner thatthey cannot be put out of use if desired. Further, such hoods havecharacteristically been heavy, bulky and costly to make structures.

It is an object and feature of my invention to provide a sleeping bagstructure of the general character referred to wherein the bottom,mattress section has an upper head supporting portion and wherein thetop cover section has extensions or hood forming portions which are suchthat they can be formed and releasably secured to each other and withthe head supporting portion of the base section to establish aneffective head protecting hood.

In the prior art, the ordinary sleeping bag is made sufficiently large,from one end tothe other, to provide adequate interior space at itsupper end to comfortably accommodate the large, upper torso of thesleeper and at its lowermost end to confortably accommodate the feet ofthe sleeper. As a result of the above, more than adequate space isprovided for the leg portions of the sleeper. This results in the use ofmore materials than is required and in substantial unnecessary weight.

In certain cases, to conserve material and to reduce the weight and bulkof sleeping bags, the lower leg receiving portions of the bags have beentapered down. In such cases, inadequate space was provided for thesleepers feet. To compensate for the noted inadequacy, the prior art cutthe bags specially and arranged inserts at the lower ends thereof toprovide adequate foot space. The resulting foot accommodating structurespresented unusual and undesirable bulk which impeded neat rolling andcompacting of the bags for storage and transport and added materially tothe cost of the bags. An overall reduction of size and weight waseffected.

It is an object and feature of my invention to provide a sleeping bagstructure of the character referred to wherein the lower leg portion ofthe structure is tapered to effect a reduction in materials used and inweight of the bag and a bag structure having novel foot accommodatingmeans at its lower foot end, which means is easy and economical to makeand use and which presents no undesirable distribution of materialswhich might adversely affect the making, handling and- /or use of theconstruction.

The foregoing and other objects and features of my invention will befully understood and will be apparent from the following detaileddescription of a typical, preferred form and embodiment of the inventionthroughout which description reference is made to the accompanyingdrawing in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of my new sleeping bag;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken substantially asindicated by line 22 on FIG. 1 and showing related structure in oneposition;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing related structure in anotherposition;

FIG. 4 is a top plane view of the base section of my invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plane view of the top section of my invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. I, showing the upperportion of the structure in another position; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. I, showing the lowerportion of the structure in another positlon.

Referring to the drawings, the sleeping bag structure that I provideincludes, generally, a bottom or base section B, a top or cover sectionT, connecting means M to releasably secure the section B and T together,foot accommodating means F and head accommodating or hood means H.

The base section B is a normally flat, horizontal, soft, and flexibleelongate unitary section having an upper head end portion 10, a centralbody portion 11 and a lower leg portion 12. The portions and II arerectangular in plane configuration with straight, parallel, longitudinalside edge 14 and a straight laterally extending upper edge 15. The lowerleg portion 12 is downwardly tapered, with straight downwardly taperedside longitudinal edges 14 and a straight transversely extending loweredge 16.

The section B has flat top and bottom surfaces 17 and 18.

The section B is established on a case C of soft, flexible, heatinsulating body supporting material and a cover or envelope E of tough,durable fabric. The core can be established of any suitable material,but is preferably established of a unitary flat sheet of inter connectedcellular polyethylene foam which can be approximately one inch thick andof sufficient shore hardness to provide comfortable, and soft supportfor the sleepers head and body. The envelope E is preferably establishedof top and bottom sheets of a suitable fabric, such as nylon.

The top and bottom surfaces l7 and 18 are defined by the fabric sheets.The sides 14, l4, l5 and 16 are straight, flat, vertical outwardlydisposed sides defined by the sides of the core C and the edge portionsof the top fabric sheet, which are turned down to overlay the sides ofthe core.

In addition to the above, the section B is provided with flexible, flatoutwardly projecting flanges D about its central and lower portions Illand 12 which flanges occur on a common plane with the bottom 18 of thesection B and project outwardly, normal to the adjacent vertical edge ofthe section. The flanges D and adjacent portions of the sides of thesection establish elements, parts or portions of the connecting means Mbetween the sections B and T.

The flanges D are preferably established by related edge or marginalportions of the envelope sheets and suitable sticking therebetween.

The section B further includes a pair of elongate zipper elements Z andZ", each fixed to and extending longitudinally along the outer free edgeof the flange D at one side of the section B and each having a lower endportion extending laterally inwardly along the edge of the flange at thelower end of the section B and terminating at the central longitudinalaxis of the section or between the ends of the said lower end flange.

The zipper elements Z and Z" are elements of the means M as wellhereafter be described.

The section B next includes a plurality of fastening elements or pads Vand V" spaced longitudinally of the vertical side and bottom edges ofthe section B. The elements or pads V and V are spaced laterally inwardof and above the adjacent zipper elements Z and Z and are disposedlaterally outwardly.

The elements or pads V and V" are elements of the means M and arepreferably elements of a press to make and pull to release typefastening device. In practice, V and V" might be elements of snap typefastening devices, but in practice, it is preferred that they be in theform of small, flexible, pads of Velcro stiched and/or cemented to thesides of the section (Velcro is the tradename for that form of fabrichaving a pile of looped and cut loops mono filament fibers which is suchthat when the pile of two pieces of the fabric are urged together,yieldingly, a releasable, mechanical connection is establishedtherebetween).

The base next includes an arcuate series of fastening elements or padsV' on the top surface 17 of the head portion 10 of the base which areelements of the hood means H as will hereafter be described. Theelements V' are preferably Velcro pads.

Finally, the section can include a zipper Z at upper edge 15 of theenvelope E to enable insertion of the core C into the envelope andremoval of the core therefrom, if desired.

It will be apparent that the base B is such that it is an easy andeconomical to make structure and is such that it requires a small amountof material, is light and can be easily and conveniently rolled into asmall, neat and compact cylindrical tubular package and deposited into astuff bag or the like for storage and transport.

The top or cover section T that I provide is a soft, flexible and lightweight, heat insulating quilted cover unit or section. The section T isa normally flat, horizontal, elongated unit with an upper body portion21, a central leg portion 22 and a lower foot portion 23 extendinglongitudinally from the portion 22.

The body and leg portions 21 and 22 are equal in longitudinal extent andare greater in lateral exent than the body and leg portions ll and 12 ofthe base section B. The portion 21 has straight parallel side edges 24and the leg portion 22 has downwardly convergent edges 24. The lowermostfoot portion has side edges 24" continuing from the edges 24 of theportion 22 and equal to one-half the lateral extent of the lower edge ofthe section B and has a transversely extending lower edge 25.

The section T has top and bottom surface 26 and 27 defined by top andbottom fabric sheets, the sides of which are stiched together toestablish the several and various edges of the section.

The interior of the section T is filled with a suitable, soft, flexible,light weight, heat insulating filler I, such as dacron fibers or down.In accordance with common practice, the section T is provided with aplurality of partitions to maintain the filler properly distributed.

In the case illustrated, the section T is provided with a longitudinallyextending partition 28 extending longitudinally of the sides of the bodyand leg portions 26 and 27 and defining filler stuffed longitudinal tubeportions along the opposite sides of the section and is provided with aplurality of longitudinally spaced transverse partitions 28 through theremainder of its planar extent to maintain the filler in place.

The upper portion 21 of the section T is provided with a pair of soft,down filled, laterally spaced, elongate, hood extensions 20 extendingupwardly from the upper side portions of the body portion 21 and havngtransversely extending upper edges 30, outer side edges 24" continuingupwardly from the side edges 24 of the body portion 21 and spacedopposing inside edges 31, the lower ends of which intersect orjoin theends of the upper edge 32 of the portion 21 which occurs between theextensions 20.

The section T next includes a pair of zipper elements Z and Z, eachfixed to, and extending longitudinally of, the edges 24, 24 and 24" atone side of the section T, the elements Z and Z" being complimentary ormating elements for the zipper elements Z and Z", respectively.

The section T next includes a plurality of fastening elements or pads Vand V on the bottom surface 27 of the section in longitudinal andlateral inward spaced, parallel relationship with the elments Z and Z",which pads are complimentary or mating elements or pads for the elementsor pads V and V" on the base section B.

The zipper elements Z and Z and the elements Z and Z cooperate toestablish outside, primary connecting means of the means M and are suchthat when they are interengaged or made up, they releasably secure theside edges 24, 24' and 24" of the top cover section with the flanges Dat and along their related side edges 14 and 14 of the base section Band with the portion of the flange along their related one-half of thelower edge 16 of the base section.

It is to be noted that the edges 24, 24' and 24" of the portions 21, 22and 23, when secured or connected with the base section, are coextensivewith the edge flange of the base section and that the lower transverseedge 25 of the foot portion 23 of the top section is free or notconnected to the base and. is urged into a folded or doubled conditionand in such a manner that the cover section provides additional surfacearea at the lower end of the structure and provides sufficient anddesired foot accommodating space within the structure.

When the primary, outside, connecting means is made up in the abovemanner, the lower, inside portions of the longitudinal tube portions 29at the sides of the section T are drawn down and into the cornersdefined by the vertical edges of the: base section and the flangesrelated thereto and so that the complimentary, related connectingelements or pads V'V and V" are moved into cooperating relationship andengagement with each other so as to hold the edge portions of the topsection in the noted corner and in snug draft and heat sealingengagement with the base.

The section T is next provided with and includes connecting means 40along its lower edge 25 to releasably secure the opposite halves of thatedge together and close the lower end of the section T when that end isfolded doubled as described above and is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7 ofthe drawings.

The means 40 is preferably a zipper, related to the foot portion 23 andthe zipper connecting means which includes a primary or outer connectingmeans which includes a primary or outer connecting means in the form ofa zipper Z and a secondary, inner connecting means in the form of spacerelated pairs of Velcro pads V on the bottom surface 27 and spacedupward of and parallel with the zipper 40 and adapted to engage witheach other and releasably hold the portions of the section adjacent toand inward of the zipper together to seal against drafts through thezipper and assure desired heat insulation.

The section T next includes releasably connecting means 45 to connectthe edges 30 of the hood extensions at the upper head portion of thesection together, which connecting means preferably includes relatedcomplimentary zipper elements 46 and 47 fixed to and extendinglongitudinally of the edges 30.

Each hood extension 20 of the section T is next pro vided with Velcropads or connecting elements V arranged along the outer edge portions ofthe extensions and adapted to cooperatively engage the pads V on the topof the head portion 10 of the base section when the extensions areconnected together in an arched fashion and are urged down intoengagement with the head portion 10 of the base, whereby an upwardlyopening head accomodating hood is established at the upper end of theconstruction.

Finally, the section T is provided with a draw string means S at andalong the edges 31 and 32 to extend about the upper open end of the hoodand such that the sleeper can, by pulling the draw strings, gather andreduce the upper opening of the hood.

In practice, when the structure is used in warm weather, the hoodstructure need not be made up or established as set forth above;instead, the hood extensions of the section T can be folded outwardly asillustrated in FlG. 6 of the drawings.

Further, in practice, the inner, secondary, Velcro, connecting means aresuch that they will not establish a connection without or in theabsences of suitably applied manual pressure; accordingly, in warmweather, the draft seals and added insulation afforded by thoseconnecting means can be dispensed with if desired.

Still further, with the structure that I provide, the top and bottomsections can be secured together by the inner secondary connecting meansonly and the outer primary connecting means need not be employed, suchuse of the structure is most effective when the weather is quite warmand maximum ventilation and minimum insulation is desired.

It is to be understood that each related pair ofzipper elements referredto above, and as illustrated in the drawings is provided with a suitablepull for making and breaking the connection to be established therebyand the direction of pull to make or break the connection can beestablished as desired or as circumstances might require.

When the structure is not in use, the base section is rolled in neat,compact, cylindrical, tubular form and placed in a stuff bag. The topsection is then stuffed within the contained base section to form asmall, neat and compact package.

In practice, the zipper Z at the upper edge of the envelope E can bereplaced with a hood flap, in the nature of an extension of the bottomsheet of the envelope and which is normally folded over the upper edgeof the core C and above the head portion of the core and tucked, flat,beneath the upper, head portion of the top sheet of the envelope.

When such a hood flap is provided, the connecting elements or Velcropads V, otherwise fixed to the top surface of the envelope can be fixedto and carried by the hood flap whereby the connecting elements arenormally hidden below or covered by the noted top sheet of the envelopewhere they are out of the way and create no discomfort or the like.

Further, in practice, the connecting means for and between the headportion 10 of the base section and the hood extensions can, if desired,include a pair of zippers or the combination of a zipper and Velcropads, or snap fastener, rather than the previously referred to padsabove, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Still further, while I have shown the hood extensions as simple,straight, rectangular extensions, it will be apparent that they can betapered or otherwise appropriately contoured to impart a particulardesired contour in the hood structure they form, if desired, and withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A sleeping bag including an elongate, normally flat, horizontal basesection with top and bottom surfaces, longitudinal side edges,transverse upper and lower edges and defining an upper head supportingportion, a central body supporting portion and a lower leg supportingportion, said base section including a core of soft, flexible,resilient, heat insulating body supporting foam plastic and a flexiblefabric envelope about the core; an elongate, normally flat, horizontal,soft, flexible quilted fabric top section with a filler of heatinsulating material overlying the base section and defining top andbottom surfaces longitudinal side edges, transverse upper and loweredges and having an upper body covering portion and a central legcovering portion equal in longitudinal extent and greater in lateralextent than the body and leg supporting portions of the base section andhaving a lower foot portion;

and, releasable connecting means securing the side edges of the body andleg portions of the top sections with adjacent side edges of the bodyand leg portions of the base section and securing laterally spacedportions of the edges of the foot portion to the opposite and relatedone-half portions of the lower edge of the base portion and releasablefastening means securing the portion of the edges of the foot portion,between said laterally spaced portions thereof, together in foldedrelationship.

2. A structure as set forth in claim 1 including, laterally spacedlongitudinally upwardly extending flexible hood extensions with upperends at the upper end of the body covering portion of the top section tooverlay and in supported engagement with the top surfaces of the headsupporting portion of the base section and connecting means releasablysecuring the upper ends of the extensions together in substantiallyupwardly and laterally arched relationship and defining an upwardlyopening head accommodating hood.

3. A structure as set forth in claim 2 and which further includesreleasable connecting means between and releasably securing the portionsof the hood extensions opposing the top surface of the head supportingportion to said top surface.

4. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the releasable connectingmeans includes elongate longitudinally extending outer primary fasteningmeans at and between the related edges of the construction and innersecondary fastening means at and between the edge portions of thesections adjacent the outer primary fas tening means and releasablysecuring the said edge portions together inward of said primaryfastening means and to insulate against loss of heat between relatedconnected portions of the sections.

5. A structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein the releasable connectingmeans includes elongate longitudinally extending outer primary fasteningmeans at and between the related edges of the construction and innersecondary fastening means at and between the edge portions of thesections adjacent the outer primary fastening means and releasablysecuring the said edge portions together inward of said primaryfastening means to seal against drafts through the primary fasteningmeans and to insulate against loss of heat between related connectedportions of the sections.

6. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the edges of the basesection are substantially flat, vertically, outwardly disposed edges andsaid base section has substantially flat, horizontal flanges at itsbottom surface and projecting outward from the vertical edges, saidreleasable connecting means including elongate longitudinally extendingouter primary fastening means at and between outer edges of the flangesand related edges of the top section and inner secondary fastening meansat and between the vertical side edges of the base section and adjacentopposing bottom edge portions of the top section and releasably holdingsaid edge portions of the top section in substantially seated sealingengagement in corners established by the vertical side edges and theirrelated flanges, inward of the primary fastening means.

7. A structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein the outer primaryfastening means include mating, elongate zipper elements on relatededges of the structure and pulls related to said elements, said innersecondary fastening means including longitudinally spaced opposing pairsof interengageable fastener elements fixed to and carried by thesections.

8. A structure as set forth in claim 1 including, laterally spacedlongitudinally upwardly extending flexible hood extensions with upperends projecting at the upper end of the body covering portion of the topsection to overlay and in supported engagement with the top surfaces ofthe head supporting portion of the base section and connecting meansreleasably securing the upper ends of the extensions together insubstantially upwardly and laterally arched relationship and defining anupwardly opening head accommodating hood, the edges of the base sectionare substantially flat, vertically, outwardly disposed edges and saidbase section has flanges at its bottom surface and projecting utwardfrom the vertical edges, said releasable connecting means includingelongate longitudinally extending outer primary fastening means at andbetween outer edges of the flanges and related edges of the top sectionand inner secondary fastening means at and between the vertical sideedges of the base sections and adjacent opposing bottom edge portions ofthe top section and releasably holding said edge portions of the topsection in substantially seated sealing engagement in cornersestablished by the vertical side edges and their related flanges, inwardof theprimary fastening means.

9. A structure as set forth in claim 1 including, laterally spacedlongitudinally upwardly extending flexible hood extensions with upperends projecting at the upper end of the body covering portion of the topsection to overlay and in supported engagement with the top surfaces ofthe head supporting portion of the base section and connecting meansreleasably securing the upper ends of the extensions together insubstantially upwardly and laterally arched relationship and defining anupwardly opening head accommodating hood, releasable connecting meansbetween and releasably securing the portions of the hood extensionsopposing the top surface of the head supporting portion to said topsurface, the edges of the base section are substantially flat,vertically, outwardly disposed edges and said base section hassubstantially flat, horizontal flanges at its bottom surface andprojecting outward from the vertical edges, said releasable connectingmeans including elongate longitudinally extending outer primaryfastening means at and between outer edges of the flanges and relatededges of the top section and inner secondary fastening means at andbetween the vertical side edges of the base section and adjacentopposing bottom edge portions of the top section and releasably holdingsaid edge portions of the top section in substantially seated sealingengagement in corners established by the vertical side edges and theirrelated flanges, inward of the primary fastening means.

10. A structure as set forth in claim 9 wherein the outer primaryfastening means include mating, clongate zipper elements on relatededges of the structure and pulls related to said elements, said innersecondary fastening means including longitudinally spaced opposing pairsof interengageable fastener elements fixed to and carried by thesections.

11. A sleeping bag including an elongate, normally flat, horizontal basesection with top and bottom surfaces, longitudinal side edges,transverse upper and lower edges and defining an upper head supportingportion, a central body supporting portion and a lower leg supportingportion, said base section including a core of soft, flexible,resilient, heat insulating body sup porting foam plastic and a flexiblefabric envelope about the core; an elongate, normally flat, horizontal,soft, flexible quilted fabric top section with a filler of heatinsulating material overlying the base section and defining top andbottom surfaces longitudinal side edges, transverse upper and loweredges and having an upper body covering portion and a central legcovering portion equal in longitudinal extent and greater in lateralextent than the body and leg supporting portions of the base sectionand, releasable connecting means securing side edges of the body and legportions of the top sections with adjacent edges of the body and legportions of the base section, said releasable connecting means includingelongate zipper assemblies at and between adjacent related edges and aplurality of releasably engageable fastening elements on opposingsurfaces of the sections in longitudinal and lateral spaced relationshipfrom each of said edges and said zipper assemblies and releasablyholding the edge portions of said sections adjacent said edges injuxtaposition.

12. A structure as set forth in claim 11 wherein said edges of the basesection define substantially vertical surfaces, said base section hasflanges projecting outwardly from said edges on a plane substantiallycommon with the bottom surface of said section, said zipper assemblieshaving elements fixed to the outer edges of said flanges, said fasteningelements on the base section being fixed to said vertical surfaces, saidinterengageable fastening elements releasably holding the edge portionsof the top section downwardly and laterally inwardly in the cornersestablished by the vertical surfaces and the flanges.

13. A structure as set forth in claim 12 wherein the releasablyengageable fastening elements comprise registerable, opposing Velcropads fixed to the sections.

l l l

1. A sleeping bag including an elongate, normally flat, horizontal basesection with top and bottom surfaces, longitudinal side edges,transverse upper and lower edges and defining an upper head supportingportion, a central body supporting portion and a lower leg supportingportion, said base section including a core of soft, flexible,resilient, heat insulating body supporting foam plastic and a flexiblefabric envelope about the core; an elongate, normally flat, horizontal,soft, flexible quilted fabric top section with a filler of heatinsulating material overlying the base section and defining top andbottom surfaces longitudinal side edges, transverse upper and loweredges and having an upper body covering portion and a central legcovering portion equal in longitudinal extent and greater in lateralextent than the body and leg supporting portions of the base section andhaving a lower foot portion; and, releasable connecting means securingthe side edges of the body and leg portions of the top sections withadjacent side edges of the body and leg portions of the base section andsecuring laterally spaced portions of the edges of the foot portion tothe opposite and related one-half portions of the lower edge of the baseportion and releasable fastening means securing the portion of the edgesof the foot portion, between said laterally spaced portions thereof,together in folded relationship.
 2. A structure as set forth in claim 1including, laterally spaced longitudinally upwardly extending flexiblehood extensions with upper ends at the upper end of the body coveringportion of the top section to overlay and in supported engagement withthe top surfaces of the head supporting portion of the base section andconnecting means releasably securing the upper ends of the extensionstogether in substantially upwardly and laterally arched relationship anddefining an upwardly opening head accommodating hood.
 3. A structure asset forth in claim 2 and which further includes releasable connectingmeans between and releasably securing the portions of the hoodextensions opposing the top surface of the head supporting portion tosaid top surface.
 4. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein thereleasable connecting means includes elongate longitudinally extendingouter primary fastening means at and between the related edges of theconstruction and inner secondary fastening means at and between the edgeportions of the sections adjacent the outer primary fastening means andreleasably securing the said edge portions together inward of saidprimary fastening means and to insulate against loss of heat betweenrelated connected portions of the sections.
 5. A structure as set forthin claim 2 wherein the releasable connecting means includes elongatelongitudinally extending outer primary fastening means at and betweenthe related edges of the construction and inner secondary fasteningmeans at and between the edge portions of the sections adjacent theouter primary fastening means and releasably securing the said edgeportions together inward of said primary fastening means to seal againStdrafts through the primary fastening means and to insulate against lossof heat between related connected portions of the sections.
 6. Astructure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the edges of the base sectionare substantially flat, vertically, outwardly disposed edges and saidbase section has substantially flat, horizontal flanges at its bottomsurface and projecting outward from the vertical edges, said releasableconnecting means including elongate longitudinally extending outerprimary fastening means at and between outer edges of the flanges andrelated edges of the top section and inner secondary fastening means atand between the vertical side edges of the base section and adjacentopposing bottom edge portions of the top section and releasably holdingsaid edge portions of the top section in substantially seated sealingengagement in corners established by the vertical side edges and theirrelated flanges, inward of the primary fastening means.
 7. A structureas set forth in claim 6 wherein the outer primary fastening meansinclude mating, elongate zipper elements on related edges of thestructure and pulls related to said elements, said inner secondaryfastening means including longitudinally spaced opposing pairs ofinterengageable fastener elements fixed to and carried by the sections.8. A structure as set forth in claim 1 including, laterally spacedlongitudinally upwardly extending flexible hood extensions with upperends projecting at the upper end of the body covering portion of the topsection to overlay and in supported engagement with the top surfaces ofthe head supporting portion of the base section and connecting meansreleasably securing the upper ends of the extensions together insubstantially upwardly and laterally arched relationship and defining anupwardly opening head accommodating hood, the edges of the base sectionare substantially flat, vertically, outwardly disposed edges and saidbase section has flanges at its bottom surface and projecting outwardfrom the vertical edges, said releasable connecting means includingelongate longitudinally extending outer primary fastening means at andbetween outer edges of the flanges and related edges of the top sectionand inner secondary fastening means at and between the vertical sideedges of the base sections and adjacent opposing bottom edge portions ofthe top section and releasably holding said edge portions of the topsection in substantially seated sealing engagement in cornersestablished by the vertical side edges and their related flanges, inwardof theprimary fastening means.
 9. A structure as set forth in claim 1including, laterally spaced longitudinally upwardly extending flexiblehood extensions with upper ends projecting at the upper end of the bodycovering portion of the top section to overlay and in supportedengagement with the top surfaces of the head supporting portion of thebase section and connecting means releasably securing the upper ends ofthe extensions together in substantially upwardly and laterally archedrelationship and defining an upwardly opening head accommodating hood,releasable connecting means between and releasably securing the portionsof the hood extensions opposing the top surface of the head supportingportion to said top surface, the edges of the base section aresubstantially flat, vertically, outwardly disposed edges and said basesection has substantially flat, horizontal flanges at its bottom surfaceand projecting outward from the vertical edges, said releasableconnecting means including elongate longitudinally extending outerprimary fastening means at and between outer edges of the flanges andrelated edges of the top section and inner secondary fastening means atand between the vertical side edges of the base section and adjacentopposing bottom edge portions of the top section and releasably holdingsaid edge portions of the top section in substantially seated sealingengagement in corners established by the vertical side edges and thEirrelated flanges, inward of the primary fastening means.
 10. A structureas set forth in claim 9 wherein the outer primary fastening meansinclude mating, elongate zipper elements on related edges of thestructure and pulls related to said elements, said inner secondaryfastening means including longitudinally spaced opposing pairs ofinterengageable fastener elements fixed to and carried by the sections.11. A sleeping bag including an elongate, normally flat, horizontal basesection with top and bottom surfaces, longitudinal side edges,transverse upper and lower edges and defining an upper head supportingportion, a central body supporting portion and a lower leg supportingportion, said base section including a core of soft, flexible,resilient, heat insulating body supporting foam plastic and a flexiblefabric envelope about the core; an elongate, normally flat, horizontal,soft, flexible quilted fabric top section with a filler of heatinsulating material overlying the base section and defining top andbottom surfaces longitudinal side edges, transverse upper and loweredges and having an upper body covering portion and a central legcovering portion equal in longitudinal extent and greater in lateralextent than the body and leg supporting portions of the base sectionand, releasable connecting means securing side edges of the body and legportions of the top sections with adjacent edges of the body and legportions of the base section, said releasable connecting means includingelongate zipper assemblies at and between adjacent related edges and aplurality of releasably engageable fastening elements on opposingsurfaces of the sections in longitudinal and lateral spaced relationshipfrom each of said edges and said zipper assemblies and releasablyholding the edge portions of said sections adjacent said edges injuxtaposition.
 12. A structure as set forth in claim 11 wherein saidedges of the base section define substantially vertical surfaces, saidbase section has flanges projecting outwardly from said edges on a planesubstantially common with the bottom surface of said section, saidzipper assemblies having elements fixed to the outer edges of saidflanges, said fastening elements on the base section being fixed to saidvertical surfaces, said interengageable fastening elements releasablyholding the edge portions of the top section downwardly and laterallyinwardly in the corners established by the vertical surfaces and theflanges.
 13. A structure as set forth in claim 12 wherein the releasablyengageable fastening elements comprise registerable, opposing Velcropads fixed to the sections.